African Design Magazine October 2014 | Page 26

RICS highlights opportunities in key property markets in Sub-Saharan Africa Africa’s positive growth story will lead to increased demand in a range of sectors, most notably the real estate market. The continent’s growth has been spurred by commodity prices such as gas and oil, as well as a growing middle class. These developments will bring increased opportunities in the business, residential and retail property sectors as well as opportunities for African professionals. These are some of the findings of a research report produced by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), an international professional body focused on the areas of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. The research report, titled “Unleashing SubSaharan African Property Markets” was commissioned by RICS to understand the potential role that it, and chartered surveyors who comply with international standards, could play in key real estate markets in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The report concentrates on 5 key case study countries in the region, namely, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania. It aims to share insights gained in these markets and highlights various opportunities and challenges, including how the profession is managed and supported, regulatory enablers and constraints and skills development for new or aspiring professionals. The research report also captures the sentiments of working professionals, member organisations and other stakeholders in the built environment sector and presents a snapshot of the potential the real estate markets in SubSaharan Africa has to offer. AD 26 africandesignmagazine.com i